New NHS podiatry clinic opens at University of Brighton, bringing 4,500 extra appointments a year

New clinic brings relief to podiatry services

Brighton and Hove residents now have access to improved podiatry care thanks to a new NHS clinic launched by the University of Brighton in partnership with Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. The clinic aims to meet rising demand across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove, where the trust receives approximately 9,300 podiatry referrals each year.

Since opening in July, the clinic has already welcomed more than 600 patients through its doors. With an expected capacity of over 4,500 additional appointments annually, the facility represents a significant boost to local healthcare provision.

Training tomorrow's healthcare professionals

Beyond serving patients, the clinic plays a crucial role in educating the next generation of podiatrists. The University of Brighton created the UK's first undergraduate podiatry degree and remains the only South East institution offering pre-registration podiatry training. The new clinic provides students with invaluable hands-on clinical experience in a modern healthcare environment.

Professor Donna Whitehead, vice-chancellor of the University of Brighton, emphasised the importance of this partnership: "Practice-based education is central to preparing healthcare professionals for the realities of their future careers. By bringing students and NHS practitioners together in a live clinical environment, this partnership gives our students the opportunity to learn from experts, develop their confidence and graduate ready to make a real difference to the NHS and to patients."

A personal milestone

For Siobhan Melia, chief executive of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, the clinic holds special significance. Her own career journey began as a podiatry student at the University of Brighton, and she expressed her pride in the partnership: "This new clinic is fantastic news for our patients. At the heart of this new clinic is our commitment to helping more people access timely, high-quality podiatry care in a modern clinical environment."

Melia added: "I'm incredibly proud that our partnership will help patients get the care they need while giving future podiatrists the clinical experience and opportunities that were so important at the start of my own career."

Addressing national workforce challenges

The clinic's opening also addresses broader healthcare challenges. By strengthening podiatry training and supporting recruitment, the partnership contributes to tackling national workforce shortages in the profession. This dual approach—improving patient access while developing skilled professionals—demonstrates how partnerships between universities and NHS trusts can create lasting benefits for communities.

For Brighton and Hove residents seeking podiatry services, the new clinic represents not just more appointments, but access to care delivered in collaboration with some of the country's leading podiatry educators.

Source: University claims NHS podiatry clinic will deliver '4,500 extra appointments'